The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-30

that mischief was brewing. In truth
Mrs. Dobbs was slowly hatcl ing n
scheme which she felt sure would run
counter to Josah's wishes. This lent
an additional zest to her plan. She
considered it n retributive scheme. She
would fight Josiah on his own ground
with his iavorite weapon OF benev-
osence-
I'm going to adopt child, Josiah.
Now it's no Use your contradictrg
me. because | won't listen" said the
lady one evening over dessert. She
spoke aggressively, cracking the shes
OF u walnut with decision. She peevish-
~ found fault with the fish and the
salad- and had slapped her pug for no
enrthly reason. II Josiah had been
less slow he would have opined that II
storm was brewing. There was silence
for n minute after Mrs. Dobbs had
opened fire.
aren't you going to speak," she
said at length.
IA child" remarked Josiah, drop.
ping his fat chin into his shirt. "My
love, that is surely project requiring
very serious consideration"
Mrs. Dobbs tossed her head omin-
ously. Every inch OF lace in her cap
seemed suddenly to have acquired
starch, while the gilt ornaments there
on scintillated tiercely.
"When / say thing mean it, as
you know, josiah. have considered
that you indulge your hobbies with
out restraint 1t is high time my
benevolence found something to oc'
cupy it,"
Josiah drank up his wine slowly.
When he spoke again it was in a sub
dued tone.
dorothy. my dear, how often have
reminded you in the past three
years that your poor sister-leit q
child. As have. said before, it is
your clear duty"
"Mr. Dobbsl' The lady rose, and
swept her black satin skirts to the
door. Here she paused to add; 81
repeat, | remember no sister dis
graceful marriage severed all connec.
ton OF birth. beg that you will
never allude to that shameful matter
again"
Perhaps the episode alluded to was
well remembered by Josiah, for he
sighed several times in his after.din-
ner solitude He knew the mad-cap
girl he had sheltered for many years
beneath his roof was dead, but he
knew, too, that her child lived. and he
would fain have cherished it for the
mothers sake.
In the course OF the evening Mrs.
Dobbs resumed the question OF adop-
ton. Josiah was a peaceable man,
and he loved his wife; but this last
within was q serious one, and would
inevitably entangle her in difficulties.
"Pm gong to advertise at once,
she said.
Mr.. Dobbs looked very blank.
al should advise you to try some
other plan that would give less pub
licity to the matter" he said mildly.
"That would bring any amount OF
beggars and inpostors about you"
Mrs. Dobbs looked over her crewel
work in an injured way.
"There you are again, Josiah; always
trying to oppose me and make my
life miserable. | declare you contra
dict me every morning and evening
about something. Haven't | told
you before what lonely life | lead?
It's all very well for you, who 60 away
to the city every day to make
money. You are just like all men
you are selfish to the core" With
this final female platitude, Mrs. Dobbs
began to whimper. Mr.. Dobbs ielt
guilty OF heinous cruelty.
"a companion might---"he began.
The lady lifted herself from the sofa
cushion and Josiah quailed.
"a companionl" with whitening
sarcasm, ito make love to you, no
doubt, Josiah. know their schem.
ing ways. Didn't ] have enough OF
Miss Griggs and her maneuvering
tricks, working you braces, the hussy,
and sending you Christmas cards.
How dare you mention a person OF
that sort after all my sufferings with
them?"
OF course in the end the lady pre-
vailed, and Josiah passively counte-
nanced the adoption. Matters were
soon set in order for the fultillment OF
the latest whim. Yet verify her heart
failed her during the week follow
ing her advertisement. Her lonely con-
dition had never been so apparent to
her before as when she was beset by a
crew OF parents and guardians bearing
some puny or blighted infant for her
adoption. All sorts and condi-
tions OF men craved her pity for their
wret ched children. She was bewildered
by the offensive bearing OF holder ap.
plicants. More than once Mrs. Dobbs
La L.. L., kn.. aa....L q Lln LIitlni